2016-17 Week 14 league standings update

Updating my leagues after Week 14; as an update isn’t available at press time, Sunday Niters will be added later:

  • Brunswick Mixed: After winning a point from Creeden’s Mustangs, Lane Ducks are in 8th place, 14 points behind the leading Sweet Rolls, who are six points ahead of Spear the 10 Pin and seven ahead of Artie’s Angels. This week is our “Christmas Bowl” week, with the same idea as the earlier “Turkey Bowl” (most over average in each average class wins a prize). We’re bowling against Livin On a Spare, but I will, unfortunately, have to miss bowling due to a family obligation. If I can swing by to at least get my paid dues current, I will, however.
  • Virtual league: 5 Kingpins won only two points from Team 3 and are still in 7th place, two points behind Big Four and three behind Ballslingers. As Big Guns are nine points ahead of Team 6 with one week left, they have officially cliinched the championship; Big Guns team members are 6_ball_man, Dylan585, Fin09, TheDemolitionMan, and trekguy.
  • Sunday Niters: After winning four points from Avengers, The 3 Stooges sit in 3rd place, seven points behind Suzy’s Crew, who are four points ahead of Ten Is Enough. We Found “B” are in 4th, nine points in back of the lead, and are our opponents for position round Sunday.

Mike Peirce wins Dec. Bay State Open at Westgate

The Bay State Open likes to have users on their Facebook page view the video to know who won each tournament, so, as the video below will show, Mike Peirce was the winner of their December event at Westgate Lanes over Kyle Egan (who will receive his 2nd place prize in his SMART account), 278-248 (with handicap). Both are bowlers at Westgate Lanes.

https://vimeo.com/195153530

As the Facebook post below shows, other Westgate bowlers cashing were Brian Egan (who lost to son Kyle in the semifinals), Jim Ferguson, Tim Woodley, and Matt Richard. The tournament had a Bay State Open record 69 entries.

Dec. 11 Sunday Niters recap

My Week 14 bowling, frame-by-frame (Linked to BowlSK sheet)

This was not a very good night. If splits weren’t an issue, carry and missing the 10 pin were issues. I tried the IQ Tour Fusion at the end of the first game because the Tropical Breeze was laboring, but it didn’t seem to matter.

Result: 142-139-155=436
Average (42 games): 179
Average for last 9 games: 169
Next week’s AVG+1 score: 545

Composite average (84 games): 177

Team lost the first game big, but won the other two to make it close, and Ed couldn’t get the strikes he needed at the end. We really needed eight to keep pace, however, as one of the teams in first place swept their points.

Valerie Bercier wins inaugural NAT Scratch Mini-Marathon

dec-10-nat-mini-marathon-finalists
Finalists of the inaugural NAT Scratch Mini-Marathon, champion Valerie Bercier, runner-up Danny Khuu (Photo courtesy of NAT)

The Northeast Amateur Tournament conducted its first Scratch Mini-Marathon today at Westgate Lanes, and, as reported on their Facebook page, Valerie (Calberry) Bercier, a member of Team Canada, was the winner of the final match over Danny Khuu, 237-194. Valerie was bowling well all day, as she was the high qualifier, bowling a 279 high game in the six-game block. There were 19 entries for this initial event, with Westgate bowlers Brian Egan and Ed Roberts also among the six who cashed.

The NAT’s new scratch tournaments are all going to be on challenge/sport conditions, with Kegel Tower of Pisa being today’s condition.

Dec. 10 pro shop note

When Ray took over the pro shop at Westgate, the shop came with a vending machine, which had been used to sell various bowling accessories (thumb tape, Nu-Skin, rosin bags, etc.), and he didn’t think he’d ever use it and gave it back to Junior for his use. Junior already had a vending machine for candy, however, so the machine fell into disuse until Ray had a change of heart and decided to take the machine back. He and Kevin were setting it up today where the bulk of the vending machines are located (near the desk) while the NAT scratch mini-marathon was going on and it is now operational to serve the bowlers’ minor needs while the shop is closed or otherwise busy. I’ve included a photo of it below, which will also be uploaded to the Facebook page:

pro-shop-vending-machine
The pro shop’s “new” vending machine (sorry about the photo quality)

Note: The machine is unable to make change and only accepts bills, so make sure you check the prices of the items you want and get the exact amount.

Brian Egan posts 300 in Patriots league

Brian Egan had lamented to me in the past that he never could seem to carry 12 strikes at Westgate, while noting that he’d done it elsewhere. Since the summer of 2015, however, he’s had two of them, one in the Coke league, and he had his 3rd at Westgate the other night in the Patriots league. Danny Khuu recorded the video, and he forgot to post it on Facebook, but did let me download it from his IM, and I’ve uploaded it to this site’s page, and it is below:

I’m not sure if this is a first for Westgate Lanes, but father Brian Egan and son Kyle now both have 300 games in the same season. WTG guys! 🙂

Links to MIST, BowlingChat.net added to sidebar

In the process of following the Maine Invitational Scratch Tournament (MIST), their tournament director, James Goulding, has informed me about their homepage, which has been added to the “Local/New England” sidebar list.

The MIST site is hosted by BowlingChat.net, which I’ve known about as an alternative bowling forum site, but the webmaster of my favorite site told me years ago about spamming problems on his site, and the reason why BowlingChat.net is a filtered URL on that site. I’d be willing to reason, however, that the spamming was coming from troublemakers and not the more responsible members of BowlingChat.net. Keeping that in mind, as well as the fact that there are some great articles there, including Mo Pinel’s oft referred to article on dual-angle layout, I gave it a link in the “Bowling Sites” catch-all list.

Dec. 7 Brunswick Mixed recap

My Week 14 bowling, frame-by-frame (Linked to BowlSK sheet)

Baby steps: Back over a 170 average for three tonight. There was a double in every game, but also either a split or a washout. I feel I’m at least rolling it better now, however.

Result: 168-163-183=514
Average (42 games): 175
Average for last 9 games: 168
Next week’s AVG+1 score: 530

Composite average (81 games): 179

Team only won the first game, and my third game was wasted, losing that by only eight pins.

2016-17 Week 13 league standings update

Updating my leagues after Week 13, including the result in the virtual league:

  • Brunswick Mixed: After winning one point from Spear the 10 Pin, Lane Ducks are in 8th place, 11 points behind Sweet Rolls, who lead Artie’s Angels by five points, Spear the 10 Pin by six points, and three teams by 8.5 points, one of those being Creeden’s Mustangs, tomorrow night’s opponents.
  • Sunday Niters: After winning four points from OSIMAS, The 3 Stooges are in 3rd place, three points behind a tie for the lead between Suzy’s Crew and Ten Is Enough. We Found “B” is seven points behind in 4th. Avengers are our opponents Sunday night, and I’ll give the leaders’ opponents, as it is the last week before the position round ending the first half: Suzy’s Crew vs. Broads With Balls and Ten Is Enough vs. Adam & Steve.
  • Virtual league: 5 Kingpins won five points from the vacant and are still in 7th, but only a point behind three teams tied for 4th, and 20 points behind the leading Big Guns; that team is six points ahead of Team 6 and 12 points ahead of Team 3 with two weeks left.

“Mr. 900” shoots first Coke league 300

Up until tonight, “Mr. 900” Hakim Emmanuel had six 300 games, including the first three in his 900 series, all on the Westgate house shot. He had #7 tonight, his first in the Coke Classic league, and, as a reminder to the regular readers and for the information of those who aren’t, the league is on the 2007 World Tenpin Masters pattern for this segment of the league, which is in the “challenge” category of lane conditions.

I actually have my own video of this one, which I uploaded to the Facebook page and which is below:

WTG Hakim! 🙂

Westgate Warriors defeat Mill City Mayhem 22-18; Tony Bennett throws 300/815

Yesterday, the Underground Bowling Association made its third season tour stop at Westgate Lanes. The Westgate Warriors faced Mill City Mayhem in their home match, eking out a 22-18 net win, largely on the strength of the Handicap 1 team of Mark Zimmerman, Kevin Thibeault, and Danny Khuu sweeping all ten of their points, with Kevin shooting a 781 and Danny a 742.

Meanwhile, a member of Mop Nation Militia, Tony Bennett (who’s been mentioned here in connection with his 300 game at the USBC Open), posted games of 300, 258, and 257 for an 815 series in their match.

Good bowling guys! 🙂

Dec. 4 Sunday Niters recap

My Week 13 bowling, frame-by-frame (Linked to BowlSK sheet)

Unlike last year, I seem to be bowling better on Sunday night this year than on Wednesday night, and, while I’d like to see my Wednesday night come back up, Sunday night is sort of offsetting Wednesday night in terms of effect on my composite average. Tonight, I had a great look with my Tropical Breeze, and, except for issues with my 10 pin, had a decent night.

Result: 185-179-195=559
Average (39 games): 182
Average for last 9 games: 183
Next week’s AVG+1 score: 567

Composite average (78 games): 179

Peter started with a 234, and we won the first game by enough for total, as it turned out, but we lost a close third game to split the points instead of winning six.

Nov. 30 Brunswick Mixed recap

My Week 13 bowling, frame-by-frame (Linked to BowlSK sheet)

This was another under-average night, but the saving grace was that I was back over 500 after being under that in the previous two weeks in this league. I only had eight strikes on the night, with a couple of doubles and none after the third frame last game.

Result: 174-179-151=504
Average (39 games): 176
Average for last 9 games: 163
Next week’s AVG+1 score: 558

Composite average (75 games): 179

The team, without Jeff tonight, only won the first game, but the third game was also close.

Stan Gibbs records 300 game in His & Hers

A recent trend I’ve noticed has been bowlers from Cape Cod coming up to bowl leagues at Westgate Lanes. A team from the Cape, Prime Time, has already won a segment in the Coke league. Tonight, as noted in the center’s Facebook post above, Stan Gibbs made his presence felt with a 300 game in the His & Hers league. Nice game, Stan! 🙂

Update: Sean Richard’s Facebook video of the last strike is below.

2016-17 Week 12 league standings update

Updating my leagues after Week 12:

  • Brunswick Mixed: After winning a point from Has Beens, Lane Ducks fell to 7th place, nine points behind the leading Sweet Rolls, who are three points ahead of Artie’s Angels and six ahead of Spear the 10 Pin (who are our opponents tomorrow night).
  • Sunday Niters: After winning two points from Bowling Stones, The 3 Stooges are tied for 2nd with We Found “B”, three points behind Suzy’s Crew; Ten Is Enough is four points behind the lead in 4th. Sunday night’s opponents are OSIMAS.
  • Virtual league: 5 Kingpins won five points from AmExGoGoDub, and are 7th,  a point behind Big Four and 24 points behind the leading Big Guns, who lead Team 6 by nine points and Team 3 by 17 points. 5 Kingpins also had the high team game of the week.

Ruthie Graham wins Greater Boston senior title

I’m late recognizing this, but, according to the posted results, Ruthie Graham, who has long served as an officer in the His & Hers and TNBA leagues at Westgate Lanes, won the women’s division of the Greater Boston USBC BA’s senior tournament, held recently at Town Line Luxury Lanes in Malden. Ruthie had a 745 score with handicap in the tournament.

Congrats Ruthie! 🙂

Nov. 27 Sunday Niters recap

My Week 12 bowling, frame-by-frame (Linked to BowlSK sheet)

When I wasn’t chicken-winging it tonight, I was actually pretty good. Because of that, I probably wanted my second game back, but did find some consistency in the third game to save a small under-average.

Result: 173-158-201=532
Average (36 games): 182
Average for last 9 games: 183
Next week’s AVG+1 score: 577

Composite average (72 games): 179

Both of my teammates were under their average all three games, but Peter was close enough to his average third game that we won that game. I was told the team we’re tied with for the lead also only won two, but the pack behind us may be closing.

Nov. 26 No-Tap Shootout results

Sean Richard today lived up to his nickname of “$eany Ka$h”, because, as the post above indicates, he not only won today’s no-tap tournament, but hit the 900 series jackpot, worth $800. I forgot to get an entry count, but five were paid, below:

  1. Sean Richard 900
  2. Kevin Thibeault 878
  3. Rob Young 876
  4. Mark Zimmerman 866
  5. Tim Major 867

It should be noted that Seany claimed the 900 jackpot the way you originally had to do it, by bowling the last three natural strikes.

There was also a coincidence of note in the no-tap tournament today. As it turned out, the “C” bowler on lane 48 (the “Hakim” pair) had a 900 no-tap total, with the 300 games bowled by Rich Fulton, Kevin Thibeault, and Tim Major, in that order (as the bowlers moved after each game).

Nov. 23 Brunswick Mixed recap

My Week 12 bowling, frame-by-frame (Linked to BowlSK sheet)

I really struggled with my release timing most of the night. I did have a promising start to the third game, but then just hit a wall with four straight open frames, including two splits. Making corner pins was rare for me tonight, as well.

Result: 152-160-183=495
Average (36 games): 177
Average for last 9 games: 164
Next week’s AVG+1 score: 570

Composite average (69 games): 179

Si had a 196 second game for the only point we got, and Jeff had a 212 third game in a losing effort.

2016-17 Week 11 league standings update

Updating my leagues after Week 11:

  • Brunswick Mixed: After winning two points from Minds in the Gutter, Lane Ducks are in 4th place, six points behind Sweet Rolls, who are three points ahead of a tie for 2nd between Spear the 10 Pin and Artie’s Angels. Has Beens will be tonight’s opponents.
  • Sunday Niters: After winning eight points from Pinknockers, The 3 Stooges are back in a tie for the lead with We Found “B”, with Suzy’s Crew three points behind in 3rd and Ten Is Enough seven behind in 4th. Bowling Stones are Sunday Night’s opponents. Ed got “bulletin board” mention for a 205 game.
  • Virtual league: 5 Kingpins failed to win points from Big Guns and are back in 7th place, five points behind Team 3. Big Guns lead by nine points over Team 6 and AmExGoGoDub and Ballslingers are tied for 3rd, 13 points behind the lead. sk8shorty01, a member of Ballslingers, submitted a 298 game last week, which is now the high game of the season.

Nov. 20 Sunday Niters recap

My Week 11 bowling, frame-by-frame (Linked to BowlSK sheet)

This effort was less consistent than the scores would indicate, as I was throwing poorer shots in the second game, particularly in the middle of it. Carry issues and single pin misses prevented the third game from being better.

Result: 198-181-183=562
Average (33 games): 182
Average for last 9 games: 185
Next week’s AVG+1 score: 560

Composite average (66 games): 180

Peter was absent, but so was the anchor bowler on the other team, so the absentees were a wash. Ed also had a good night, and we won all eight, with the first place team only winning three, so it should be official in the next standings update that we’re tied for first again.

Amie Goodspeed wins 4th RILC title at Westgate

As the Facebook post above indicates, Amie Goodspeed (right in photo) successfully defended her Rhode Island Ladies Classic title at Westgate Lanes from last season today after defeating Shaunna Varin 194-185 (with handicap; Amie was bowling scratch) in the title match. The title was Amie’s 4th overall, with wins in three consecutive months.

Good bowling also to Westgate’s Chris Major, who was caught by Amie in the last two games of qualifying for the spot in the final match.

Rob Young bowls 300 in Patriots league

Brockton Bowling Association Hall of Famer Rob Young posted another 300 game last night in the Patriots league, and I’ve been told Rob’s average in that league is now around 245. This bears watching, as there has never been a 240 average for a full season in the association, with Nate Abdow’s 238 in Taunton in 2009-10 being the association’s record. It’s also worth noting that a youth bowler, Stephen Major, also has a 240+ average at Westgate at last check.

Keep it going, Rob! 🙂